Reisinger's inconsistency
ERNEST REISINGER'S INCONSISTENCYAS TO THE USE OF "INVITATIONS"
The following article was submitted by Ian D. Elsasser:
Years ago I bought Worship: The Regulative Principle and the Biblical Practice of Accommodation by Ernest Reisinger and Matthew Allen which is still sold by the Founders Ministries
In Chapter 6 they argue that the invitation system "violates" and is "contrary to" the regulative principle (p. 109), "is not only unmentioned in Scripture, but also profoundly antithetical to fundamental tenets of Scriptural teaching about salvation" (p. 110), and "has no place in the church that seeks to be biblical" (p. 110). They state that its advocates believe it is necessary for salvation, which seems a mischaracterization.
In Chapter 9 (Applying the Practice of Accommodation to the Altar Call), they state that one may have to allow it to remain where the church does not understand since removing it may cause problems (pp. 149-150). They even grant that "there is nothing intrinsically evil about people walking to the front of a church building at the end of a service" (p. 150) as long as "the reason" (p. 150, italics theirs) is addressed, giving examples of those converted coming forward to express a desire to be baptized and join the church (p. 150-151).
"These types of altar calls do not in any fashion violate the regulative principle. To invite the converted to come forward does not cut across any principle of biblical theology discussed in this book. In no way does it represent the outward response of going forward as being connected with 'receiving Christ'" (p. 151, italics theirs).
Distilled to it core, Reisinger and Allen argue that the altar call is acceptable when employed for converts but not for those desiring to be converted.
If Scripture and the regulative principle are not against the altar call for converts, why not for unbelievers seeking conversion where a mature believer is present to speak to and counsel the person about "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ"?
Ian D. Elsasser
Bob's comment: Isn't it rather weird, Ian, that according to Reisinger, the "altar call" is not unscriptural and does not violate the "regulative pinciple" in any way other than in the one use to which Reisinger objects?
posted by Bob L. Ross @ 11:23 PM
1 Comments:
FOUNDERS MINISTRIES SHARE REISINGER'S VIEW ON ALTAR CALLS
Bob Ross said:
Isn't it rather weird, Ian, that according to Reisinger, the "altar call" is not unscriptural and does not violate the "regulative pinciple" in any way other than in the one use to which Reisinger objects?.
Ian's reply:
I once held the same view as Reisinger but abandoned it having seen that the position is without foundation. While some may be concerned about the abuses and misuses of the invitation system (whether it be altar call, inquiry room, raising hands, etc.), these do not rule out proper employment of such things as the altar call, inquiry room, raising of hands, etc. It strikes me more of "throwing the baby out with the bathwater." And Reisinger has already confessed that "there is nothing intrinsically evil about people walking to the front of a church building at the end of a service." Most pastors who use an invitation system understand that it does not save a person, for they call upon hearers to believe in Christ Jesus to be saved.
Of significance, Founders Ministries espouse the same view as Reisinger. This is not surprising since Reisinger was the founder of Founders Ministries and set the course for the organization. Furthermore, Founders Ministries endorses the book:
"This book masterfully defines, explains, and defends the Reformed principle of worship -- the regulative principle. Moreover, the principle is not left in the realm of theory. The application of the principle in the context of modern evangelical life is developed, especially how to implement the regulative principle in congregations who do not yet fully understand or embrace this biblical principle. This is a must-read for those seeking to bring reformation to the worship of the local church."
Third, some ministers and teachers who have written and spoken against an invitation system are friends of the Founders.
Finally, one need only visit the Founders blog and other Founders friendly blogs to see "altar call" and "the sinner's prayer" described as "decisional regeneration."
I hope that many who have adopted an anti-invitation system view will come to see that invitation systems are not anti-biblical and, even if they do not employ them, will grant others the freedom to use them and drop such language as "decisional regeneration."
Bob's Note: From my own observation, most of those who oppose invitations were themselves converted in some relation to responding to an invitation of some description. If you took away all those names from the Flounders who made public professions of faith during invitations, the Flounders might be reduced to a mere handfull.
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